Latest news with #StatewideTornadoDrill
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wisconsin's Statewide Tornado Drill set for Thursday, here's a few reminders ahead of severe weather season
(WFRV) – Thursday marks Wisconsin's annual Statewide Tornado Drill as part of Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness week across the state. At 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. on April 10, NOAA's weather radios will be activated, and the outdoor warning sirens will be heard. However, phones will not be alerted, as this is only a drill. The National Weather Service told Local 5 that those times were picked intentionally so that residents could practice their severe weather plans at various locations. Seasonal weight restrictions ending for 15 Wisconsin counties 'The purpose of doing them at those two different times is at 1:45 p.m., you are typically at school or your workplace, so think of the safety plan and where you would go to keep yourself safe if that were an actual tornado and then at 6:45 p.m., a lot of us might be at home or maybe we are out at our baseball or softball games, so think about your safety plan there too,' explained National Weather Service Green Bay Meteorologist Kurt Kotenberg. Once the calendar flips to April, the threat of severe weather exponentially increases. Since 1950, Wisconsin has documented 108 tornadoes in the month of April, 257 in the month of May, with the highest being in June at 466. Wisconsin sees, on average, 23 tornadoes a year; however, last year nearly doubled that number at 45, making it the third most active season on record. When asked about those important reminders ahead of severe weather season, Kotenberg urges residents to take thirty to sixty seconds each day to check the weather forecast. If the weather is going to be quiet, then you are in the clear. However, if there is a threat of thunderstorms, do a deeper dive into the timing and level of severity so you know where you will be before the storm arrives. Another reminder is to make sure you have ways to receive weather information. Whether that be through television, weather radio, or smart phones, it's important to make sure devices are fully charged or have fresh batteries well in advance. Sustainably Speaking: Over 1,300 volunteers set to tackle trash in Fox-Wolf Watershed Cleanup Finally and most importantly, as part of today's drills, identify where you would seek shelter in the event a tornado warning were ever issued for your location. The safest place to be is in a basement, but if your building does not have one, the next best place is an interior room like a hallway, bathroom, or closet. The goal is to put as many walls between you and the outside as possible. For those in a mobile home, these structures can not withstand the winds of a tornado. If a warning is issued, quickly move to a sturdy structure to seek shelter there. If you know severe weather is possible, plan ahead to stay with someone who has a sturdy structure. Last year, Wisconsin saw its first recorded tornadoes in the month of February when an EF-1 tornado touched down in Green county and an EF-2 tornado roared through Dan, Jefferson, and Rock counties. So, while this is Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness week, Kotenberg says the severe weather plan should be something that is thought about around the clock. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
How CodeRED can help you prepare when an emergency or storm strikes
** The video above was shown during a previous broadcast of Living Dayton in February ** DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — In Ohio, severe weather including tornadoes can happen any time of the year, even right here in the Miami Valley. Montgomery County has a program called 'CodeRED,' which is aimed at helping people be aware of the conditions that are underway or coming soon to their location. The system is intended to alert the public of an important event or crucial information. Ohio announces Statewide Tornado Drill, Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week The Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management was established around the time of World War II and has been working to keep the community safe ever since. Jeff Jordan is the director of Montgomery County's Office of Emergency Management and says even before severe weather strikes, the office is working to help people be prepared in case of an event, like a tornado. 'During an actual severe weather event, we work with the National Weather Service as part of the National Weather Service chat, getting information and providing information to them,' Jordan said. According to Montgomery County, the software application can provide information on active shooters, boil advisories, evacuations, resources, severe weather, shelter in place and water main breaks for individuals. Severe weather contest encourages students to get creative Individuals looking to be a part of the program have to sign up for CodeRED. Once signed up, users will be able to get information via cell phone, email, landline, or simply a text message. People that are signed up and actually have the app will have direct access to alerts and information no matter if you're in Dayton or vacationing in Daytona Beach, Fla. Jordan says the geographical ping on your device will help determine the information you need to know to help keep you safe in the area you are in. 'It is going to the phones in the geographic area, so if you have your phone and wherever you are in that area, you will get that alert.' What to do after severe weather hits To sign up for the program to receive alerts, click here. Those looking to get up-to-date information on the go, no matter where they may be within the United States, you can download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store. If you are interested in what the organization does and would like to volunteer, you can email mcoem@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Why tornado sirens are going off across Ohio on Wednesday, March 19, 2025
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – As is customary during Severe Weather Awareness Week in Ohio, a statewide tornado drill is scheduled for 9:50 a.m. on Wednesday. Warning sirens were set to be activated in Franklin County for three minutes, which is longer than the usual tone heard during the weekly Wednesday tests at noon. The county emergency management agency reported that all 196 sirens would sound. The tone is the same 'tornado warning' tone used when an actual tornado warning is issued and offers residents, schools, and businesses an opportunity to practice their emergency response procedures. Hospital receives gift to give parents of stillborn children more time In an average year, Ohio experiences approximately 20 tornadoes with winds between 65 and 110 mph. In 2024, however, tornado sirens became all too familiar in central Ohio, in which several dozens of tornadoes touched down. In the wake of destruction throughout the state, Ohio saw 74 tornadoes touch down, far exceeding the record of 62 set in 1992. 'Last year, Franklin County witnessed firsthand the devastation tornadoes can cause, with four early morning tornadoes striking in late February,' said Jeffrey J. Young, director of Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security. 'Being prepared is essential to overcoming any emergency. The annual Statewide Tornado Drill offers us the opportunity to practice and strengthen our emergency plans, ensuring we're ready to respond at any time.' The record was officially broken on June 29 last year after a tumultuous six months of severe weather. February and March were particularly violent, beginning on Feb. 28 with an onslaught of storms that ripped through Franklin, Licking, Madison, Clark and Montgomery counties. In March three people were killed during storms, including an EF-3 tornado that ripped through the Indian Lake region. Other tornadoes associated with the storm were seen in Licking, Richland, Crawford, Hancock and Delaware counties. Delaware County's twister damaged parts of the Olentangy Berlin athletic facility, in particular the baseball field, which lost its scoreboard. It also caused extensive damage to nearby homes and businesses along Berlin Station Road. In May, 23 tornadoes were confirmed in a historic run of severe weather. Bill would extend working hours for teens Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security advise all central Ohio residents to prepare for all types of severe weather, including tornadoes and flooding. It recommends following these essential safety procedures: Know the Risk – Learn and understand the different types of weather hazards facing Franklin County. The top hazards can be found on the agency website at Know the Weather Terms – Know the difference between a watch and a warning. A tornado watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the development of a tornado in and close to the area. A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been detected by radar or sighted by storm spotters. Have a Plan – Develop and practice an emergency plan with your family and include your pets. Know how you will communicate and have a designated safe meeting place. Build a Kit – Build an emergency supply kit. Be sure to include enough food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity for each member of your household including your pets to last for at least 72 hours. Nexstar, the parent company of this news station, is partnering with the Red Cross to support victims of this storm. You can join the campaign to support storm victims by donating today. For your most accurate forecast from Storm Team 4, click here. Stick with NBC4 and Storm Team 4 on-air and online in the event of severe weather warnings. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Statewide Tornado Drill to occur today
A statewide Tornado Drill will occur today. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Statewide Tornado Drill will occur Wednesday at 9:50 a.m., according to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency. TRENDING STORIES: Bus pulled over on highway after reports of unsafe driving 1 person hospitalized after crash in Greene County Downtown construction ahead of NATO summit causing issues for Dayton residents This drill is in addition to the normal testing done monthly on the first Monday of each month at noon. The drill will last for approximately 3 minutes. People are encouraged to practice their safe sheltering plans at this time, according to the Ohio Committee For Severe Weather Awareness. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Ohio tornado drill set for Wednesday
(WKBN) — Ohio's annual statewide tornado drill is happening Wednesday. The annual test takes place each year during Severe Weather Awareness Week. If you hear a siren at 9:50 Wednesday morning or receive a test alert on your phone, don't be alarmed — it's all for Ohio's Statewide Tornado Drill. The sirens have historically been a way to notify people of a tornado warning. But as technology has changed, so has the way people are notified of weather events. Trumbull County Emergency Management Agency uses the WENS Notification System, where people can voluntarily sign up to receive alerts. It's also certified through the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System, meaning anyone traveling through the county during a tornado warning will get a push alert on their phone. 'We do have a lot of traffic on 80, on the turnpike, on 11, so people coming through our county a lot,' said John Hickey, Trumbull County EMA director. 'I think it's important that they kind of know what's going on.' Emergency officials say it's important to use Wednesday's statewide drill as an opportunity to practice a safety plan.' 'Make sure they know what to do if we did have a real situation,' Hickey said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
